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General Category >> Technical >> Who runs Q-rings?
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Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 14^th, 2013, 7:55pm

Title: Who runs Q-rings?
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 14^th, 2013, 7:55pm

Been doing some speculating on Q-rings for the Xstream... who in the group uses 'em???

Title: Re: Who runs Q-rings?
Post by Bud_Bent on Apr 14^th, 2013, 9:08pm

I have three Q-rings on the Xstream and one on the Corsa. I've been running that one on the Corsa for over six years now, I think. I had three Q-rings on the Corsa for a short while, but the big ring never shifted well, so I went back to my original big ring. I found that it was a nice change of pedal feel on long rides, going from the middle Q-ring to the big regular chain ring, so I never changed it again.

The smallest Q-ring made in those early years was a 30 tooth, and I ran one on the Corsa for a while. But after my lung surgery at the end of 2007, I felt I needed something smaller so I changed to a regular 26 tooth chain ring.

By the time I got the Xstream, they were making 36 tooth cassettes, so I bought one for it, and I figured that combined with a 30 tooth small chain ring in front should give me a good enough slowest gear, so I put my old 30 tooth Q-ring on the front of the Xstream. I also put my old big Q-ring on the Xstream, along with a middle Q-ring I kept from the SXP when I sold it. The big ring shifts fine on the Xstream, so I'm running all Q-rings on the Xstream. I've always loved the feel of them.

Title: Re: Who runs Q-rings?
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Apr 15^th, 2013, 7:55am

So what specific combo are you running on the Xstream, Bud?

Mathematically speaking, does a "10% elliptical" 30T give you an effective 28T/32T depending upon position? Likewise with a 53 - does it give you a 50/56 effect depending upon rotation?

PB

Title: Re: Who runs Q-rings?
Post by Andy on Apr 15^th, 2013, 10:44pm

All respect to Bud and his opinion but I just didn't like them. I guess I've just been spinning round rings for too long and just could not get along with the out of round rings. I tried and tried. John Schlitter didn't like them either and removed them after giving them a good try. YMMV!
Andy

Title: Re: Who runs Q-rings?
Post by Bud_Bent on Apr 16^th, 2013, 7:43am

Paul, I'm running a 53, 40, and a 30. It's hard to describe how they feel. I think you just have to experience it. They pedal like a bigger gear in the power part of your pedal stroke, then like a smaller one in the dead part of your stroke, which really evens out the effort of the full pedal stroke. Of course, you have to have them set correctly, which is no slam dunk procedure on a recumbent, for that to happen. The biggest weakness of eliptical chain rings made before the Q-rings came along is that they didn't have the many mounting positions of the Q-rings, so they didn't work at all on a recumbent, and even on an upright, anyone with an unusual pedal stroke couldn't tune them to work just right.

I've always heard that if you have a perfect pedal stroke, without any dead spot, then you won't gain anything from a Q-ring, or even like them. For most of us mortals, though, they really feel great.

Title: Re: Who runs Q-rings?
Post by aikigreg on Apr 16^th, 2013, 9:22am

I really notice them when I'm not using round rings. I've worked hard on my pedal stroke these last two years, mainly on bikes with round rings. There's a smoothness there when I get tired that round rings don't give. You even see a lot of pros using them now. Given that they are heavier, that really says something.

Andy wrote:

Title: Re: Who runs Q-rings?
Post by VolaeSport on Apr 16^th, 2013, 11:22am

I have been using 39/53 Qrings for several years. First on my Volae and now on Catrike Trail. I use the OEM round ring granny 30 since I seldom get that low. It does take some experimenting to get the install position correct. Rotor has excellent phone support for this. I find I am not faster, but its easier. Sounds weird, but I gained about 10% higher cadence and my knees do not get sore any more. If your knees get sore with Qrings you have them installed in the wrong position.